“Gloomy Sunday” is a hauntingly beautiful song written by Hungarian composer Rezső Seress in 1933. The lyrics tell the story of a person contemplating suicide after being abandoned by their lover. The melancholic melody and heartbreaking words captured the despair and hopelessness many people were feeling during the tumultuous times of the Great Depression.
The song became known as the “Hungarian Suicide Song” due to the urban legend that it led to a significant increase in suicides wherever it was played. Despite this, the song gained popularity and was later recorded by artists such as Billie Holiday and Björk.
The tragic life of Seress further adds to the mystique of the song. He experienced personal hardship and disappointment, eventually leading him to jump out of a window to his death in 1968.
“Gloomy Sunday” remains a poignant reminder of the power of music to evoke deep emotions and connect with listeners on a profound level.
Image by Ai Junkie
